Chapter 27

After the phone call, Martha put a pot of coffee on, and we all sat around the dining room table. I could tell that Elizabeth was somewhat anxious, but it appeared she was in control.

I gave her a smile and nodded my head. She returned a somewhat quizzical look.

I laughed, “I was just thinking that you’re going to do fine. I’m actually impressed at how calm you are. I would expect that many people in your situation would be nervous.”

She gave me an exasperated look and said, “Marcus, do I have any other choice? Look, I know that I’m in the right here. The only thing I’m worried about is getting my dander up and saying something I’ll regret later.”

Martha set a cup of coffee in front of me and then placed another cup in front of Elizabeth. She gave Elizabeth a long stare and after a moment said, “Elizabeth Manigault! Don’t even go there. You are smart enough to know what needs to be said without causing those kinds of problems.”

Elizabeth mumbled a “Yeah, I know,” and then took a sip from her cup.

We sat around the table, ignoring the huge elephant sitting there with us. There really was no sense in delving into the discussion any further until Harold Barney showed up.

Harold must have left his house right after our phone conversation. It was not all that long before we heard the sounds of a car coming down the driveway.

I met Harold at the door and escorted him to the table. After a few pleasantries, including Martha setting a cup of coffee down in front of him, he asked, “OK Marcus, let’s hear what’s so important you called me out here.”

“Harold, it appears that Everett has found a new trick in that bag of his. Some very peculiar things came up while I was in the hospital. Fortunately, Elizabeth had enough sense to know that something was amiss.”

I paused, took a sip of coffee and then continued, “I’ve listened to what happened from Elizabeth’s side, and I think it would be to your advantage to do the same. I do believe that Mr. Miller has gone a bit beyond what can be considered acceptable. I also think this is something that can’t be ignored.

Harold gave me a long look, and then said to Elizabeth, “OK, you mind letting me in on what happened?”

I carefully followed Marcus’ advice and presented the facts to Mr. Barney in a completely emotionless manner. In fact, instead of relating the entire meeting with Everett once again, I gave him the transcript to read. He read it very carefully and then looked at me with a puzzled expression. “Did he really think you would fall for this?” he asked. “It seems pretty flimsy stuff.”